An electrical current (“EC”) manager module may assign a plurality of hardware elements of the PCD to one of two groups. The EC manager module may monitor individual electrical current levels of one of the groups as well as calculate an instantaneous electrical current level for the PCD based on a current charge status for the PCD. The EC manager module may then adjust operation of at least one hardware element to keep operation of the PCD below the calculated instantaneous electrical current level for the PCD. The EC manager module may estimate an electrical current level for one of the groups based on requests issued to hardware elements. The EC manager module may also compare the calculated instantaneous electrical current level to the monitored electrical current level. The calculated instantaneous electrical current level may be compared to minimum current levels listed in a table.